News Release
Wednesday, January 13, 2010

EDMONTON - Today's cabinet shuffle announced by Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach is nothing more than "window dressing" for a failing government that refuses to listen to Albertans, says HSAA President Elisabeth Ballermann.

"Without question, this government has lost touch with the quintessential component of successful governance - acting on the wishes of those who elect them to power," said Ballermann. "They fail, however, to acknowledge the real issue - Albertans' outrage with their mismanagement of important policies such as health care, education, natural resources and the province's finances.

Premier Stelmach's announced cabinet shake-up earlier today, shifts confrontational Health Minister Ron Liepert, a magnet for growing public dissent, into the Energy portfolio. He is replaced with Edmonton-Mill Creek MLA, Gene Zwozdesky. In a subsequent move of significance for HSAA and other unions, Edmonton-Castle MLA Thomas Lukaszuk replaces Hector Goudreau as Minister of Employment and Immigration - whose responsibilities also include Labour issues.

"Albertans are smart enough to recognize when they're being ignored," said Ballermann adding, "All this amounts to is a premier shifting the deck chairs on the Titanic!"

Ballermann concluded: "Mr. Stelmach's cabinet shuffle is nothing more than a party recognizing its own mortality, following the rise in popularity of a provincial rival (Wildrose Alliance). I think he should fear more, the repercussions that will be brought to bear by a lack of voter confidence in his leadership."

For more information contact:
Elisabeth Ballermann, President, HSAA ­- Cell: (780) 991-1274
Scott Pattison, Communications Officer, HSAA - Cell: (780) 405-4684